Sister of NYPD officer who took his own life fighting for change
The sister of Robert Echeverria, the ninth NYPD officer to take his own life this year, is fighting for change after the recent NYPD suicides.
Echeverria was found with a gunshot wound to the head last week in Queens.
Eileen Echeverria says she feels like more needs to be done within the department and by the city to combat the ongoing issue.
"I commend all the officers who go out there day after day doing your duties, despite having a mayor who does everything in his power to stop you. I understand this is not the job it once was," she told News 12.
Eileen Echeverria says she met with the deputy commissioner of NYPD Employee Relations and Family Relations on Friday. She says they are planning to institute new programs, clinicians and support for officers. But Eileen Echeverria says that according to the PBA president, all health benefits – including mental health -- are going to be cut by the city.
A spokesperson for the mayor's office says, “The loss of our officers to suicide is a tragic epidemic and we must use every tool available to help our officers before they get to that point. We are actively working to increase access to mental health services across the city."